Surface friction analyzer

ABSTRACT

A device and a method of utilizing the device to obtain frictional uniformity on selected surfaces, such as a bowling lane, with the apparatus including a lightweight frame member having a spring-urged carriage movable across a scale indicia to measure the friction in the particular localized area being tested, with the carriage member having friction means in the form of a rubber glider provided thereon for engagement with the floor surface. The device contemplates establishing uniformity in bowling lane conditions, for example, by establishing a master friction standard so that testing of an individual lane will reveal the presence of either too much or too little friction, thus permitting the lane to be treated to comply with the preferred standard.

United States Patent [191 Fazekas Aug. 13, 1974 SURFACE FRICTION ANALYZER [75] Inventor: Charles Fazekas, Charlotte, NC.

[73] Assignee: Elias Productions Incorporated,

Akron, Ohio [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1973 [2]] Appl. N0.: 348,491

[52] US. Cl. 73/9 [51] Int. Cl. G01n 19/02 [58] Field of Search 73/9, 432; 272/3 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,299,895 10/1942 Harrall et al 73/9 3,215,436 11/1965 Carter 73/9 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 695,785 8/l953 Great Britain 73/432 R Primary Examiner-.S. Clement Swisher Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Freeman & Taylor [5 7] ABSTRACT A device and a method of utilizing the device to obtain frictional uniformity on selected surfaces, such as a bowling lane, with the apparatus including a lightweight frame member having a spring-urged carriage movable across a scale indicia to measure the friction in the particular localized area being tested, with the carriage member having friction means in the form of a rubber glider provided thereon for engagement with the floor surface. The device contemplates establishing uniformity in bowling lane conditions, for example, by establishing a master friction standard so that testing of an individual lane will reveal the presence of either too much or too little friction, thus permitting the lane to be treated to comply with the preferred standard.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SHEEI 1 0F 2 PATENTED AUG? 3l974 FIG. 2

' FIG. 3

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention This invention relates to the art of analyzing the frictional characteristics of various surfaces and, in particular, has reference to a device for analyzing the frictional surface characteristics of a bowling lane so as to permit attainment of uniformity from lane to lane in a given establishment and also to achieve uniformity industry-wise for the purpose of achieving the best and fairest tournament competition.

It has long been known that the surface characteristics of bowling lanes vary from establishment to establishment and from lane to lane in a given house, and in this regard and up to the present time it has been the custom to make visual observations of the lane conditions and then attempt to adjust them either by adding oil to reduce the friction or by buffing to increase the friction as the case may be. In all instances, however, examination and treatment of the lanes is a visual matter and relies on the experience of the observer, and accordingly lane conditions can vary considerably from lane to lane and from house to house with the result that no uniform standard of frictional characteristics can be obtained.

2. Description Of The Prior Art The following prior art devices are known to the Applicant:

Peachey U.S. Pat. No. 2,217,492

Walker US. Pat. No. 2,225,140

Harrall et al. US. Pat. No. 2,299,895

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of surface friction analyzers and, in particular, relates to a lightweight, portable surface friction analyzer having particular use in testing the frictional characteristics of a bowling lane.

The invention also contemplates the evolvement ofa method of checking the frictional characteristics of a given lane so as to enable the owner thereof to adjust the lane conditions to conform with an established standard. thus assuring uniformity of lane conditions at all times. It is also an object of this invention to provide a lightweight, compact unit that is capable of accurately analyzing the frictional characteristics of any given surface.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method for establishing standards and then establishing a testing procedure that will assure that the surfaces in question comply or conform to the standards established.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification considered and interpreted in view of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment showing the carriage in full lines at the start of the testing operations and illustrating the position of the same at the end of the testing cycle in chain-dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similarly illustrating the movement of the carriage.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation.

FIG. 5 is a view taken on the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1 and showing the bottom of the carriage.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a test sheet for checking the frictional conditions and characteristics of an individual bowling lane.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, the improved surface analyzer, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown including a support frame 11, a measuring member 12, a carriage member 13, and a spring 14, with the arrangement being such that the carriage member 13 reciprocates longitudinally of the elongated measuring member 12 so as to obtain readings on a scale portion 12a of the measuring member upon being urged towards the projecting end of the measuring member 12 by the spring 14.

considering first the construction of the frame 11, it will be noted that it includes an L-shaped anchor end 20 to which is secured, as by weld 20a, the measuring member 12. A block 22 is superimposed upon the measuring member 12 and has, in turn, superimposed upon it the elongate carriage stop component indicated by the numeral 22 in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

As indicated before, the measuring member 12 projects longitudinally from the frame member 11 and has indicia 25,25 provided on the top surface thereof preferably in the descending scale noted in FIG. 1 of the drawings. An end support 26 is secured to the projecting end of the member 12 by a bolt 27, and by this arrangement the lower edge surface 20b of the anchor end 20 of frame 11 and the lower surface 26a of the end support both will lie in the same plane and engage the surface being tested, with this arrangement ensuring that the measuring member 12 is parallel to and spaced from the floor surface being tested.

Turning now to the construction of the carriage member 13, it will first be noted that the same includes a block-like base member 30 from one end of which depend (FIG. 5) a pair of stainless steel gliders 31,31. A rubber glider 32 also depends from the opposed end of base 30 and serves as the friction member of the surface analyzer.

A U-shaped channel 32a is secured to the base 30 as by welds 33,33 and serves as a housing within which the measuring member 12 may be slidably received.

A carriage bumper 34 is secured as by weld 35 to the upper surface of the channel member 320, with this bumper being intended to engage the end 2211 of the carriage stop 22 so as to serve as a convenient starting point for the conducting of the friction test.

As shown in the drawings, spring 14 is a coil spring that surrounds the member 12 so that one end of the same bears against the block 21 while the other end bears against the end 30a of the carriage member 13.

In use or operation of the improved surface analyzer, it will first be assumed that the component parts have been machined and assembled to the condition illustrated in FIG. 1. At this time it is merely necessary, in the event that a bowling lane is being checked, to take the surface analyzer out to the lane and place the same on the lane longitudinally so that the measuring member 12 is parallel to the boards that comprise the lane surfaces. Preferably a series of transverse readings will be taken at given longitudinal intervals, and as shown in FIG. 6 provision is made for making fourtransverse measurements at 10, 20, 30,40, and 50 feet from the foul line.

To take a reading it is merely necessary to place the anchor end at the test point and then move the carriage to the point where the carriage bumper 34 comes in contact with the end 22a of the carriage stop, with the spring 14 being compressed during such movement.

At this time and with the anchor end being held down firmly, the carriage 13 is released, at which time-the force of the spring 14 will move the carriage to the right of FIG. 1 to the chain-dotted line position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

At this time a reading may be taken by the operator at point 40, and preferably a second and third test will be conducted to ensure that an accurate reading has been obtained.

When all of the test areas for a given lane have been established and readings taken therefor, it is merely necessary that these test areas be compared with the master, which will have been established by experience based upon the type of bowler using the lanes, etc. By such a comparison it can be determined whether the friction needs to be reduced in a given area, and if this is the case, this can be readily done by applying oil until the desired frictional level is obtained.

On the other hand, if the area does not have enough friction in it,it may be necessary to remove some of the oil as, for example, by buffing.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided a new and improved type of surface analyzer that is characterized by its lightweight reliable characteristics that enable accurate readings to be taken over a pre-selected area for the purpose of achieving lane uniformity.

While the application has been shown to have particular utility with respect to the sport of bowling, it is also to be understood that the invention herein contained is not limited to use in that field.

Thus the application herein involved could be utilized to check the condition of floor surfaces and hallways and the like to determine whether the same were overly slippery or not.

The extreme compactness and lightweight characteristics of the device make it a tool ideally suited for a wide range of applications.

Also in this regard while a disclosure has been made with reference to a rubber friction member, it is to be understood that other materials could be used if different surface characteristics were to be checked.

Also while a measuring member 12 has been shown with certain indicia thereon, it is believed apparent that other scales could be used in the event different frictional members were used so as to obtain different readings that would have a different meaning when a different friction element was employed.

While a full and complete description of the invention .has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiment shown herein.

Accordingly, modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A surface analyzer for use on floor surfaces of the character described, comprising;

-A. a support frame including 1. an anchor end adapted to be supported on said floor surface,

2. an elongate measuring member projecting from said anchor end in spaced, substantially parallel relationship with said floor surface,

3. indicia provided on one surface of said measuring member;

B. a carriage member l. slidably carried by said measuring member for movement longitudinally thereof,

2. having at least one friction member adapted to frictionally engage said floor surface when said anchor end is positioned thereon; and

C. means adapted to shift said carriage longitudinally of said measuring member and the indicia thereon for friction-testing purposes.

2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said last mentioned means are a coil spring surrounding said measuring member and having its opposed ends bearing against said anchor end and one end of said carriage.

3. The device of claim 2 further characterized by the fact that A. said anchor end includes a projecting carriage stop; and

B. said carriage includes a bumper that engages said carriage stop when the force of said coil spring is overcome.

4. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of an end support provided on the projecting end of said measuring member and adapted to support said measuring member in spaced relationship to said floor surface.

5. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said friction member is rubber. 

1. A surface analyzer for use on floor surfaces of the character described, comprising; A. a support frame including
 1. an anchor end adapted to be supported on said floor surface,
 2. an elongate measuring member projecting from said anchor end in spaced, substantially parallel relationship with said floor surface,
 3. indicia provided on one surface of said measuring member; B. a carriage member
 1. slidably carried by said measuring member for movement longitudinally thereof,
 2. having at least one friction member adapted to frictionally engage said floor surface when said anchor end is positioned thereon; and C. means adapted to shift said carriage longitudinally of said measuring member and the indicia thereon for friction-testing purposes.
 2. an elongate measuring member projecting from said anchor end in spaced, substantially parallel relationship with said floor surface,
 2. having at least one friction member adapted to frictionally engage said floor surface when said anchor end is positioned thereon; and C. means adapted to shift said carriage longitudinally of said measuring member and the indicia thereon for friction-testing purposes.
 2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said last mentioned means are a coil spring surrounding said measuring member and having its opposed ends bearing against said anchor end and one end of said carriage.
 3. The device of claim 2 further characterized by the fact that A. said anchor end includes a projEcting carriage stop; and B. said carriage includes a bumper that engages said carriage stop when the force of said coil spring is overcome.
 3. indicia provided on one surface of said measuring member; B. a carriage member
 4. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of an end support provided on the projecting end of said measuring member and adapted to support said measuring member in spaced relationship to said floor surface.
 5. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said friction member is rubber. 